News

Off-the-Ear Power Option NOW Available

New features geared to make play, sports and all activities easier for children and adults

ADVANCED BIONICS NEW OFF-THE-EAR POWER OPTION MAKES CARTWHEELS POSSIBLE FOR BIONIC EAR PATIENTS

Advanced Bionics, the only U.S.-based manufacturer of cochlear implants (or “bionic ears”), today launched a new, off-the-ear power option, offering implant recipients a design breakthrough that is more comfortable, flexible and convenient. These improvements will make life especially easier for children with implants or anyone with an active lifestyle. The OEPO are currently available within Europe and Canada to users of the Harmony and Auria BTE sound processors.

 “We’ve created the de facto standard in cochlear implants with upgrades to improve sound quality, ergonomic fit and lifestyle flexibility,” said CEO Jeffrey Greiner of Advanced Bionics. “Now patients will have significantly more comfortable, lighter devices such as for those people with bilateral implants who can now power the processors with just a single battery – no more batteries on each earpiece. We’re hoping to see children with unilateral or bilateral implants doing cartwheels, something hard to do with earpieces that would likely fall off.” 

 This new design separates the sound processor from the battery, giving recipients the option of wearing only the sound processor over the ear, attached by a cable to a separate PowerCel battery that can easily clip to the person’s clothing.  With most Advanced Bionics cochlear implants – surgically implanted electronic devices for people with profound hearing loss – the person wears an ear piece over the ear that includes both the sound processor and the PowerCel battery.  The new option provides 40-50% ear-level weight reduction and additional comfort for recipients, especially small children and active adults who may want a smaller, lighter device over the ear and a battery system that clips on more securely.

 The off-the-ear power option is specifically tailored for people with active lifestyles (from joggers and cyclists to active toddlers) with the separate battery designed to stay secure and in-place. It’s also the only cochlear system to offer extended battery life through the PowerCel Plus, which can power a processor for up to 24 hours.

 In addition, cochlear implant patients can choose from varied power adapter cable lengths (from five to 32 inches) and color options, and can use the new off-the-ear option with T-Mic, iConnect and other accessories.

 Advanced Bionics manufactures the Harmony HiResolution Bionic Ear, a system that offers the most advanced listening experience of any cochlear implant available. It’s the only cochlear implant with the 120 spectral bands necessary for deaf patients to go beyond deciphering simple speech to hearing – and enjoying – music.